"You don't look like Peeta." You quirk your eyebrow at Henry humorously. Truthfully he looked better.
"But I do look like a tribute." He shrugs. "A bad one, maybe?" He grabs you and pulls you against his chest, your hands landing on his pecs as you look up at him. His voice deepens. "Wanna stay alive? Stay with me, little girl. Never leave my side."
You laugh at him, but then he kisses you in such a way that you are sure you could be late for the party. "Henry..." In the privacy of the trailer it was way too easy for that to happen. "We could be late for the party."
His gaze moves over you appreciatively. "Yeah."
You smile up at him. "Behave."
"I am behaving," he says with mock innocence. "Just badly." He starts backing you toward the bedroom door and a knock interrupts you. "Damn it!"
You giggle at him and he does not relinquish his hold on you as you circle him and edge toward the door. "Yes?"
"Hey, where's the wine?" Stuart calls from outside.
"Stuart—" Stella admonishes and after hearing Stuart say, "ow" you start laughing.
"It's in the truck," Henry rolls his eyes. "Let's get going."
You edge up and kiss his nose, making him grin. He rubs his nose against yours, and for some reason, this makes your heart swell. You have always been one for the little things-random snuggles and touches as if he can't keep his hands off you, making you feel like you are loved and treasured. And when you do it to him, you watch his eyes light and spark, sometimes a small smile tugging at those kissable lips of his that is just as good as him walking over and kissing you literally. You love him. So much. You drop your gaze shyly. "We'd better get going."
He lets you go slowly. "You won't always get away that easily, kitten."
You get goosebumps but manage a smile, walking out. He follows you out and you all head to the truck. He hands Stuart a case of beer, hands you and Stella appetizer plates, and then takes the case of wine for himself. You make the walk to the set, sounds of laughter and music become closer as you get closer.
Dusk closes in on the place, and it looks magical. Small torches are set on every reachable flat surfaces, giving it a surreal feel-tribal and primitive. You feel like you could possibly be in Hunger Games.
People gather on the bridge and platforms, eating food and milling about talking. One platform becomes a small dance floor, and people look on and watch. You feel Henry put his arms around your waist and you lean back into him, reveling in the feel of his body against yours, his arms around you. You both wore jackets, but he is what warms you against the night.
You go dance with some of the actors, and Henry watches you. You keep looking at him, wishing he would dance, but you are happy he encourages you to go ahead without him. You are twirled and swayed as the music plays, but your eyes are for him. When the music changes, you get off the floor and sit in his lap, a little breathless, but once again, enjoying his arms encircling you.
"You're a really good dancer," he nods.
"The school I went to required we learn the basics," you nod. "It was a lot of fun-" You hear your name called, and see Stella waving from the food and drinks table with Stuart. "Be right back--"
He catches your hand. "Remember—"
"No drinking," you say softly. Even though you are not sure you are pregnant, he has decided to err to the side of caution, making you wonder what he has been thinking. You open your mouth to ask, think better of it, and kiss him before heading over to see Stella. "Hey!"
"Hey!" Stella smiles, standing in her white shirt with an "S" on it. "Think you can man the table for me? Stuart wants to dance." You look at Stuart, who is in a grey shirt and with a black "P" on it, smiling at their light grey caps.
"Sure, go ahead." You watch them in their salt and pepper costumes and begin to serve food and drinks to people. You pour yourself a elderberry juice with Dry London Spirit, smiling at the mix in your cardboard cup, and take a sip. You smile at them, and then see Cynthia.
You go to Cynthia at the end of the table. "Hey!"
"Hey!" Cynthia says. "How's it going?"
"Okay," you grin. "Stuart and Stella look really nice out there." You wave at them and they wave back.
"They're cute," Cynthia shrugs.
"Something I can get you?" You ask.
"Sure."
You serve her food and a small wine.
"Thanks."
"Sure thing," you nod, seeing Hannah and Archer come. "Hey guys!"
"Hey!" Hannah waves.
The dark shirts and khakis made you guess. "Let's see...Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable?"
"Oh, my God!" Hannah's eyes widen. "You got it!"
"I liked the show," you shrug.
Archer nods impressed with your answer and gives Hannah a look. "I'll let you girls chat." He leaves you two alone at the table, and you give a polite smile. You haven't had kind words in some time.
"Hey," Hannah greets. "Working the party?"
"Yeah," you shrug. "I told Stella if she needs a break, let me know."
"But you're not with catering," Hannah points out.
"This party isn't like that," you nod. "You didn't bring anything?"
"Oh, I brought candy," Hannah said with a smile. "Easy stuff."
"Oh, okay." You see Cynthia wave you over. "Did you want anything?"
"Just beers," she shrugs.
You walk over to the cooler and get the beers.
"Thanks," she smiles a little. "I...I just wanted to say I'm sorry about...the Henry thing. He really, really likes you."
"Thanks," you tell her. "I kinda miss our art sessions."
She laughs softly. "Yeah, I still would love to illustrate a book you write someday."
"I'm gonna hold you to that," you say. "but, you and Archer are—"
"He's a really good guy," Hannah nods. "I mean, some people act like they like you and they don't, you know?" Her look is meaningful as she says the words slowly. "He is really nice, but some people? No."
You blink at this, frowning. "Hannah, what are you trying to tell me?"
Her eyes slide off to the dance floor where Cynthia, Stella and Stuart are dancing. They are all waving at you.
You feel your heart in your throat. "Hannah—" You turn to find her gone.
Stella and Stuart return, and you smile, still feeling shaken about Hannah's warning. You and Stella have been tight almost all summer. The idea of her not really being a friend hurts. Cynthia's a cool boss and Stuart you barely know.
You return to Henry with your drink and sit on his lap.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asks.
"Nothing, just—" you shake your head. "God, I'm just being silly."
"What is it?"
"Hold my drink," you say. "Ladies room."
"Okay," Henry nods. "We'll talk when you get back."
"It's silly—" you watch him slightly raise his eyebrow. "Okay, we'll have a laugh." You go to the bathroom and return.
"Well?"
"Strangest thing," you say to him. "Hannah sounded like she was trying to warn me."
"About what?" he asks with a slight frown.
"She apologized for being jealous and warned me about people pretending to like me."
He exhales heavily. "Sounds—"
"It's the way she said it, Dal," you say softly. "Like she was warning me. And she looked at Stella, Stuart and Cynthia on the dance floor."
"Well, that doesn't help," Henry thought aloud. "Are you sure she was looking at them and not someone else?"
"I don't know," you shake your head. You look down at Henry's hand, which is holding an empty beer bottle. "Let me get you another one."
"Thanks," he smiles.
You rise and take the bottle to the garbage can, throwing it away, and getting a fresh bottle. You down your drink and get a bottled water for yourself.
As you approach Henry, it hits you. You suddenly don't feel well, and it's hard to breathe. Your steps slow, and Henry's eyes widen. He stands, looking at you. You feel it, down your throat, the tightening. You didn't taste it at first, but there it is, and it wasn't there before:
Grapefruit.
You're allergic to it...you're terribly allergic to it. You usually can smell it before you consume it, stop yourself, but you didn't. You feel your throat close, and you grab your throat, dropping the beer and the water. The beer bottle breaks and crashes on the stone floor. Henry races for you, and you hear a scream as you go down. The night is spinning as you struggle to breathe.
Henry goes into your leg pack as people crowd you.
"Is she okay?"
"What's happening?"
"What's going on?"
"Oh my God, get the doctor!"
"Get the doctor!" Henry orders. "NOW!" You feel a stab in your leg. "Come on, baby. Come on, I've got you..."
You vomit and feel yourself turned to your side, causing the crowd to make some sort of far away noises you can't make out and then you are put on your back again. You see the sky. You see the trees. You feel your legs being lifted above your heart. You see people around you, looking upset or scared...Henry holding you...Stella in standing in shocked tears as Stuart holds her...Hannah shaking her head with her mouth covered while Archer looks at you, upset...Colin...frowning at you...then his eyes wander...to Cynthia, her expressionless face looking at yours as if waiting...but for what?
Henry shakes you slightly. "Don't do that, don't pass out..."
"Hen...ry..." But you can't hold, even as you feel your throat start to open a little. You can barely breathe...